I think most first-time parents worry about the loss of their independence when they start having kids. And that’s definitely something I’m worrying about. I’ve always been extremely independent, sometimes to a fault, so I know I’ll have a hard time adjusting at first.

So, over the next few months, we’re planning to do lots of our favorite ‘adult’ things: meet friends for impromptu happy hours, go out for drinks and dinner (non-alcoholic for me, of course), go on day trips to nearby cities, etc. And I’m planning on doing lots of shopping and trips to Target and getting in some ‘me’ time with some manis and pedis. And maybe a prenatal massage or two.

2. Give birth to a healthy baby boy!

The reality that I’m going to have to get this baby OUT of me at some point is starting to hit home. Like, it’s gotta come out SOME HOW. Either by being cut out or the natural way. I’m praying to avoid a C-section but that’s a whole different topic. In the end, all I care about it delivering a healthy baby boy, no matter how it happens. I’ll be so relieved when he’s here and we’re both (hopefully) healthy. (Prayers and good vibes are always welcome )

3. Learn to be the best mother during maternity leave (and after).

I’m really looking forward to maternity leave (duh). I can’t wait to meet my son and get to know him and give him tons of love. As a bonus, Adam’s birthday and our 3rd wedding anniversary will fall within just a couple of weeks of my due date, so Adam will probably be home on paternity leave for those dates to celebrate as a family! Perfect timing. (This is the only picture I could think of to include here…me being a mother to my first baby!)

4. Try to give my all to breastfeeding … but be okay with it if it doesn’t work out.

So, I’m planning to breastfeed. I’m nervous about it because the more you talk to friends about it and read about it, it’s not as easy as it sounds. I’m praying I’ll have an easy time with it and it will come naturally. And I’ll work hard to make it work. But, I’m not going to beat myself up if it doesn’t work out. Because it doesn’t work for a lot of people. And that’s okay. There are plenty of other options out there.

5. Focus on the good intentions of my family, in-laws, and friends.

When you become pregnant with your first child, you are inundated with advice. All kinds of advice. From family. From friends. From perfect strangers. From Facebook acquaintances. Back to my whole independence thing – all this unsolicited advice drives me absolutely insane. I get a little too irritated by it all.

Shortly after the holidays, our priest gave an awesome homily that hit home for me. He talked about how we sometimes think that it’d be easier without family. How we sometimes wish we could just pack up and live in a city away from them. I have that thought a lot. But he warned that this is not the right way to think. Family may be frustrating but they will be the only ones there for you in times of distress and need. And they love you no matter what. And their advice, while often unwanted, usually comes from a place of love.

So, I’m trying to see the good intentions in the actions of my family and friends these days. I know I’ll always get more advice from them now that I have kids and I can’t let it get me so worked up. I’ll take it if I need it and say ‘thanks, but no thanks’ in a polite way if I don’t need it. But I need to work on not dwelling on it. So, there’s my big emotional and spiritual goal for the year.

6. Get back into running after giving birth. Be able to run a 5K distance again by year-end.

I miss running so much. I can do practically every other type of exercise except for running and very high-impact activities. Once my doc gives me the go ahead and I have some amount of sleep under my belt after I give birth, I’m getting back out there. I know I’ll start slow and not be able to run very far, but that’s okay. My goal is to be back to a 5k distance by year-end. No matter how slow I am.

There they are! My 2014 goals / to-dos. What are your goals for the year?

Comments

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